Finding Peace in the Storm: Trusting Christ's Presence
Summary
This morning, we gathered as a people made alive in Christ, confessing together the profound truth that our Redeemer had to be truly human—so that He could perfectly obey the law on our behalf, suffer for our sins, and sympathize with us in our weakness. We marveled at the incarnation: Jesus, not a distant deity, but one who entered fully into our humanity, bearing our burdens and becoming our merciful and faithful High Priest. In His life, He fulfilled the law; in His death, He bore our punishment; in His resurrection, He intercedes for us even now.
Turning to Mark 6:45-52, we entered the story of Jesus walking on water. The disciples, fresh from a spiritual high, were sent by Jesus directly into a storm. This was no accident—Jesus intentionally led them from triumph into trial, not to harm them, but to reveal more deeply who He is. The storm became a classroom, exposing not just the wind and waves, but the slowness of their hearts to recognize Jesus’ true identity. Their greatest danger was not the storm itself, but a hardened heart that failed to see the One who was with them.
We saw that Jesus sends us into storms, but He never abandons us. While the disciples strained at the oars, Jesus was on the mountain praying—interceding for them, just as He now intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father. Even when we feel alone, He sees us and is aware of our struggle. And then, in the darkest hour, He comes to us—sometimes in ways we do not expect, sometimes in ways that even frighten us. Yet His words cut through the chaos: “Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid.” Here, Jesus reveals Himself as the great I AM, the living and true God, present and in control.
The root of the disciples’ fear was not the storm, but their failure to remember God’s past faithfulness and to trust His present presence. We, too, are prone to spiritual amnesia—forgetting what God has done and doubting what He is doing. The antidote is not a change in circumstances, but a fresh vision of Jesus’ identity and presence. He is the same Lord who walked on water, who rules and intercedes for us now, and who promises to be with us always. The call is to turn from fear, repent of hardened hearts, and rest in the peace and confidence that comes from knowing the King is in the boat with us.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus Intentionally Leads Us Into Storms for Our Good
The storms we face are not random or meaningless; often, they are places where Jesus intentionally leads us to reveal more of Himself. Our comfort is not His highest goal—knowing Him is. In the midst of trial, we are invited to see our circumstances as classrooms where God shapes our faith and character, not as evidence of His absence. [36:18]
- Christ Sees and Intercedes Even When We Feel Alone
While the disciples struggled in the storm, Jesus was on the mountain praying for them—a picture of His ongoing intercession for us. Even when we feel isolated and exhausted, our Savior sees us and is actively working on our behalf. This truth anchors us: we are never out of His sight or beyond His care, no matter how fierce the storm. [39:36]
- God’s Presence Often Comes in Unexpected Ways
When Jesus approached the disciples on the water, they were terrified, mistaking Him for a ghost. Sometimes, God’s intervention in our lives does not look the way we expect, and our fear can blind us to His presence. We must learn to recognize Him even when He comes in ways that challenge our assumptions, trusting that His presence is always for our good. [44:10]
- The Root of Fear Is Often Forgetting God’s Faithfulness
The disciples’ astonishment and fear were symptoms of a deeper problem: a hardened heart that forgot the lessons of God’s past provision. We, too, are prone to spiritual amnesia—praising God for past deliverance but doubting Him in present trials. The call is to remember, to speak God’s promises into our fears, and to let His faithfulness in the past fuel our trust in the present. [48:17]
- True Peace Comes From Knowing Who Is With Us
The central question in any storm is not the size of our problem, but the identity of the One who is with us. Jesus, the great I AM, is present, in control, and has authority over every aspect of our lives. When we let this truth move from head knowledge to heart trust, we find a peace that is deeper than our circumstances—a peace that shapes our character and becomes a witness to those around us. [49:37]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[17:11] - Confession of Faith: The Humanity of Christ
[18:33] - Announcements and Family Discipleship
[32:37] - Jesus Sends Disciples Into the Storm
[33:46] - Prayer for God’s Word
[34:59] - The Exhaustion After Triumph
[36:18] - From Triumph to Trial: The Purpose of Storms
[37:37] - The Storm Exposes Our Hearts
[39:36] - Jesus Sees and Intercedes
[41:25] - Drawing Near in the Storm
[43:27] - Jesus Comes in Unexpected Ways
[44:10] - Recognizing God’s Presence
[45:22] - “Take Heart, It Is I”: The Great I AM
[46:38] - The Root of Fear: Hardened Hearts
[48:17] - Remembering God’s Faithfulness
[49:37] - The Antidote to Fear: A True Vision of Jesus
[51:00] - Christ’s Ongoing Presence and Rule
[52:40] - Moving From Knowledge to Trust
[53:55] - The Gospel in the Storm
[55:39] - Invitation to Faith
[56:37] - Responding to Jesus’ Call
[57:42] - Prayer of Repentance and Faith
[01:00:11] - The Lord’s Supper: Remembering Christ Together
[01:01:50] - Confession and Assurance
[01:02:50] - Thanksgiving for Forgiveness
[01:04:23] - Closing and Invitation to Respond
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Jesus in the Storm (Mark 6:45-52)
---
### Bible Reading
- Mark 6:45-52
(Jesus walks on water and calms the storm)
- Hebrews 2:17-18
("Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.")
- Romans 8:34
("Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.")
---
### Observation Questions
1. In Mark 6:45-52, what did Jesus do immediately after the miracle of feeding the 5,000, and where did he send the disciples?
([32:37])
2. According to the sermon, what was Jesus doing while the disciples were struggling in the storm?
([39:36])
3. How did the disciples react when they saw Jesus walking on the water, and what did Jesus say to them?
([44:10])
4. What reason does Mark give for the disciples’ astonishment after Jesus calmed the storm?
([46:38])
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why might Jesus intentionally send his disciples into a storm right after a spiritual high point? What does this reveal about his priorities for his followers?
([36:18])
2. The sermon says the disciples’ greatest danger was not the storm, but their hardened hearts. What does it mean to have a “hardened heart” in this context?
([46:38])
3. How does Jesus’ response to the disciples’ fear (“Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid.”) connect to God’s self-revelation in the Old Testament?
([45:22])
4. According to the sermon, what is the “antidote” to fear in the storms of life?
([49:37])
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon teaches that Jesus sometimes leads us into storms to reveal more of himself, not to make us comfortable. Can you think of a time when a difficult situation became a “classroom” for your faith? What did you learn about Jesus in that season?
([36:18])
2. When you feel alone or exhausted in your struggles, how does the truth that Jesus “sees you and intercedes for you” change the way you pray or respond? Is there a current struggle where you need to remember this?
([39:36])
3. The disciples were terrified when Jesus came to them in an unexpected way. Have you ever missed or misunderstood God’s presence or help because it didn’t look the way you expected? What might help you recognize him in the future?
([44:10])
4. The sermon warns about “spiritual amnesia”—forgetting God’s past faithfulness when facing new challenges. What are some practical ways you can remember and rehearse God’s faithfulness in your daily life?
([48:17])
5. Jesus’ words, “Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid,” are meant to bring peace in the middle of chaos. What specific fear or anxiety do you need to bring to Jesus this week? How can you let his presence move you from fear to trust?
([45:22])
6. The sermon says true peace comes not from a change in circumstances, but from knowing who is with us. Is there an area of your life where you are waiting for circumstances to change before you feel peace? How might you shift your focus to Jesus’ presence instead?
([49:37])
7. The call at the end of the sermon is to “repent of hardened hearts” and rest in the confidence that the King is in the boat with us. What would it look like for you to move from just knowing about Jesus to truly trusting him in a current storm?
([53:55])
---
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for one another, asking God to help each person see Jesus clearly in their storms, to remember his faithfulness, and to rest in his presence and peace.
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Is Truly Human and Our Merciful High Priest
Jesus Christ became truly human so that He could perfectly obey the law on our behalf, suffer the punishment for our sins, and sympathize with us in our weakness. He knows the sting of temptation, the ache of sorrow, and the burden of our frailty, and He stands as our merciful and faithful high priest, interceding for us. Because He is both God and man, He is able to save us completely and offer us comfort in every trial. In every moment of struggle, you can draw near to Him, knowing He understands and cares for you. [17:11]
Hebrews 2:17 (ESV):
"Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people."
Reflection: Where in your life do you need to remember that Jesus truly understands your struggles and is interceding for you right now?
Day 2: Jesus Sees Us and Intercedes for Us in the Storm
Even when we are sent into difficult and painful circumstances, Jesus has not abandoned us. He sees us in our struggle, just as He saw the disciples straining at the oars, and He intercedes for us from above. Our trials are not accidents; they are opportunities for us to see more of who Jesus is and to experience His care. No matter how isolated or exhausted you feel, you are never out of His sight or beyond His prayers. [39:36]
Romans 8:34 (ESV):
"Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel alone or unseen, and how can you bring that to Jesus today, trusting that He sees and prays for you?
Day 3: Jesus Is the Great I Am—Present and Powerful in Every Storm
When the disciples were terrified in the storm, Jesus came to them, walking on the water, and declared, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” He revealed Himself as the great I Am, the living and true God who is present and in control, with authority over every aspect of our lives. True peace is not found in the absence of storms, but in the presence of Jesus, who is with us and sovereign over all. Let His words anchor your heart: He is with you, and nothing is out of His control. [45:22]
Mark 6:50 (ESV):
"For they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, 'Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.'"
Reflection: What fear or anxiety do you need to surrender to Jesus today, trusting that He is the great I Am who is with you?
Day 4: Remembering God’s Faithfulness Guards Our Hearts
A hardened heart forgets God’s past faithfulness and ignores His promised presence in the present. When we remember how God has provided and been near before, we can face new storms with confidence instead of fear. The antidote to anxiety is not a change in circumstances, but a fresh vision of Jesus and a heart that speaks God’s promises into every situation. Let the memory of God’s goodness fuel your faith today. [48:17]
Philippians 4:5-7 (ESV):
"The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can remind yourself of God’s past faithfulness when you face anxiety or fear this week?
Day 5: Letting Knowledge of Jesus Move to Confident Faith
It is not enough to know the truth about Jesus; we must let that knowledge become trust that shapes our character and actions. A growing, listening, trusting heart lets go of anxiety and takes hold of peace, allowing the truth of God’s Word to reshape our responses and bring calm to ourselves and those around us. Today, the invitation is to turn from fear, repent of spiritual amnesia, and rest in the protection, salvation, and provision of King Jesus, who is always with you. [52:40]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV):
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What is one area where you need to move from simply knowing about Jesus to actively trusting Him, and what step can you take today to rely on Him more fully?
Quotes
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